Guide
for Tenants
We hope that we will be able to assist you in the search for
rented accommodation. Below are some commonly used terms with
a brief explanation, guidelines and definitions of normal practice
or phases known in the rental process, plus guidelines once
you have become a tenant in a new property:
Break Clause
Also known as a notice clause, these are usually after a minimum
period of tenancy and are usually mutual to the landlord and
tenant. A typical break clause would be 2 months notice after
6 months occupation, breaking therefore at 8 months.
Council Tax
This is a charge made by the local council to cover local community
costs, such as rubbish collection. The cost is usually paid
by the tenant.
Furnishings
There is no precise definition as to what constitutes furnished
or unfurnished premises. Attention should be paid to what is
included at the time of viewing or by establishing a list with
the agent. Most properties should as a minimum contain appliances
in the kitchen, floor coverings and curtains.
Gas Safety
All landlords are by Law required to produce a gas safety record
on an annual basis to show that the gas appliances have been
inspected and declared safe by a qualified engineer.
Holding Deposits
Jackson-Stops & Staff require a deposit, usually equivalent
to one week’s rental, to secure the property during the
reference stage. Should the application not proceed, Jackson-Stops
& Staff are entitled to deduct costs from the holding deposit
dependent on how much work they have done to the point at which
the application is withdrawn.
Landlord
The person(s) or company that have authority to let the property.
Length of Tenancy
This is commonly called the ‘Term’ of the tenancy.
Most tenancies are of a minimum six months duration or a twelve
month with a mutual break clause after six months.
Negotiation
Some landlords will be prepared to be flexible on the asking
price of properties. This is dependent on a number of factors,
such as how long the property has been on the market, or if
the tenancy is likely to be of a longer term than usual.
Option Clause
If you wish to be secure in the knowledge that you can stay
in the property potentially for longer than the initial term,
some landlords will consider having an option clause in the
tenancy which means that you may unilaterally be able to decide
whether to extend into a second or third term.
Professional Organisations
JSS belong to a professional body, the Royal Institute of Chartered
Surveyors which means that they have to subscribe to a code
of practice and that their client accounts are protected and
audited each year.
Taking up References
Jackson-Stops & Staff will ask all prospective private tenants
or company to complete a “MARAS form” an independent
one-stop referencing source. The cost for each application will
be £25 inc VAT.
The processing of the references usually takes 48 – 60
hours. Once verification is complete JSS receive one of the
following categories in respect of each application:
| CLASS A |
– |
Applicant considered good for the term of the tenancy.
|
| CLASS B |
– |
Applicants references checked and verified as being
correct but considered too weak to be offered tenancy
without a suitable guarantor.
|
| CLASS C |
– |
Applicant considered unsuitable for tenancy. |
Payment of Rent
The rent is normally paid monthly in advance for individuals,
although some landlords may insist on quarterly payments. Regular
rent payments made by standing order, should present in the
Landlords/or JSS bank account on the date stated in your tenancy
agreement.
Tenancy Deposits
A deposit, usually equivalent to six weeks rental, is payable
at the time of signing the agreement by tenant against any breach
of their obligations for the term of the tenancy. Interest is
normally paid to the tenant at the end of the tenancy.
Tenancy Agreement
This is a legally binding document between the landlord and
tenant, which details the obligations placed upon both parties.
Also known as a lease or contract.
Tenant
The person or company that assumes overall responsibility for
the obligations within the tenancy agreement.
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Utilities
The cost of gas, electricity and telephone are usually borne
by the Tenant for the duration of the tenancy. In some cases,
costs may be included, for example, in a block of flats where
there is a communal heating system. Beware however if the utilities
are provided to the property via a sub meter which means that
the Landlord can charge a higher rate than normal.
Please ensure that you contact providers of the services and
arrange for accounts to be put into your name from the start
of the tenancy.
Television Licence
Licence application forms are available from most Post Offices.
Failure to obtain a TV Licence may result in a penalty fine.
Care of Installations & Appliances
Please take care to correctly use and maintain the installations
and appliances provided in your rented property. A property
folder should be left in the property with all instruction manuals,
to help you understand the operation of the appliances.
Please bear in mind that you will be responsible for contractors
charges to remedy domestic blockages that occur during the tenancy,
be sensible in disposal of waste foodstuffs, fat, oil and sanitary
products to avoid blockages t the waste outlets of sinks, basins
and drains.
Furniture, Fixtures & Fittings
Removal of furniture, fixtures and/or fittings is not permitted
without the prior written consent from the
Landlord or Managing Agents. In the event you have moved items
from one room to another during the tenancy these must be replaced
into the original rooms (as stated on the inventory) before
the end of the tenancy.
Property Visits, Viewings & Contractors Access
From time to time during the term of your tenancy access to
the property will be required in order to carry out the routine
appointments; property visits, gas/electrical safety checks,
boiler service or service of appliances or other installations
and conducted viewings of the property - in the last weeks of
your tenancy.
Gardens
Subject to the terms of the tenancy agreement, you may be responsible
for the maintenance of the gardens at the property. Dependent
upon the season, garden maintenance includes:
| • |
Regular cutting of grass |
| • |
Trimming of hedges |
| • |
Maintaining shrubs and borders |
| • |
Garden ponds (including pumps or other equipment) |
If you have any concerns regarding the care of the garden, we
would be happy to provide details of a local gardening contractor.
Keeping of Pets
Unless by prior written agreement, the keeping of any pet is
strictly prohibited.
Insurance
You are responsible for insuring your personal possessions.
It is advisable to take a specialist tenants insurance which
will cover accidental damage to the landlord’s possessions
as well as covering your contents.
Decoration
Changes to internal or external decoration of the property are
not permitted, nor are any alterations to the structure of the
building permitted.
Annual Holidays/Extended periods of Absence
You must inform either the Landlord/Managing Agents if you expect
to be away from the property for more than 28 days, failure
to do this may invalidate the landlord’s and your insurance
cover. In winter months you should take reasonable care to ensure
that freezing of pipes and/or water installations does not occur.
Please do not hesitate to contact Jackson-Stops & Staff
for advice and assistance concerning vacant periods, especially
in winter months.
Determination of your tenancy
Upon the terms agreed at the outset of the tenancy, you should
refer to the relevant clauses in your Agreement. Whether you
serve notice on the Landlord or the landlord serves notice on
you, this must be in writing and in accordance with the agreed
notice period.
On the day that you “check out” of the property, you
will be met by an inventory clerk who will verify the Inventory
and Schedule of Condition of the property with you. The report
produced by the clerk will note details of damages and dilapidations,
fair wear and tear and landlords maintenance issues.
Preparation of your property for the check out
Please leave the property as you found it, this will include
making sure that everything is returned to the places stated
in the inventory. This helps the inventory clerk to locate them
and ensures that you are not charged for something that the
clerk is unable to find.
Remember to return, in good clean order, any kitchen equipment
that you have packed away during the tenancy.
Obtain an invoice detailing the works addressed by the professional
cleaners that you appoint. If you require a recommendation of
a cleaner, we would be happy to provide a suitable professional
cleaner in your area.
Arrange for utility meters to be read on the last day of your
tenancy and settle final accounts. Arrange for your post to
be redirected. |
